Evangel celebrates 20th anniversary of HeartSong with CD-release party

HeartSong is comprised of 12 singers and 10 instrumentalists. According to its founding director, Dr. Bonnie Jenkins, the ensemble’s repertoire covers a variety of styles including contemporary worship, gospel and traditional.

The group travels throughout the midwest on weekends and does extended tours during spring and summer breaks.

“I believe that HeartSong has been in every state in the U.S. with the exception of Alaska,” said Jenkins, a professor of music at Evangel.

“We have traveled overseas in the past to such places as Barbados, Amsterdam and Brussels, and this spring we have an invitation to minister in Rome, Italy,” she said.

HeartSong was founded in 1993 as a touring band to represent the music department of Central Bible College and recruit for the school. Now that CBC has consolidated with EU, the group is touring for Evangel.

“The transition to Evangel has gone very well,” said Jenkins. “Approximately 1/3 of this year’s group is made up of Evangel students and the other 2/3 are last year’s HeartSong members. They have blended well and are a family already.”

“For me, it has been an easy transition as I taught here 12 years after graduating from Evangel,” she added. “I am beginning my 21st year of directing HeartSong and still love this opportunity to invest in the lives of young men and women.”

Jenkins holds a Ph.D. in music from the University of Missouri ­– Columbia, an M.S. in music from Missouri State University, and a B.M.Ed. from Evangel University.

Jenkins served as executive producer and director for the recording project. Barry Kinzer served as producer and recording engineer. Art design was by Amy Garfield.